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TAX-AIDE The Interview – A Conversation ● Prior year’s return ● Nature of business ● Where is the business conducted ● Net profit or loss ● Assets used in the business ● Record of income and expenses NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Notes: ● Taxpayer does not have to conduct regular full-time business activities to be self-employed ● Remember – all income is taxable unless the law says it isn’t! NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Interview – Limitations On Scope ● No net loss ● Business expenses of $10,000 or less ● Only sole proprietor No employees/no 1099 payments ● Can have more than one Sch C if more than one business  Do not combine businesses – if more than one business, need more than one Sch C NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Interview – Limitations On Scope ● No depreciation, amortization, or asset write-off (Form 4562) ● No deduction for business use of home, such as: Rent Utilities Homeowner/renter insurance Not even new simplified method! NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Interview – Limitations On Scope ● Cash method of accounting only ● Must materially participate in business ● Not a bartering business Exchange of services or property Value received is income! ● No prior year unallowed passive activity loss NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Interview – Limitations On Scope ● No inventory (resale business) Goods purchased for resale Goods produced for resale Even if bought for immediate resale or a particular job, it is still inventory  Use of line 4, Cost of Goods Sold – out of scope NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Inventory Quiz Is this inventory? ● Furnishings bought by an interior designer for a specific client? ● Fabric bought by an interior designer who will sew drapes for a client? NTTC Training YES – goods produced for resale are inventory YES – designer is selling the furnishings to the client Note: Answer could be NO if client buys the furnishings and designer charges a finding fee

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TAX-AIDE Interview – Business Income ● Due diligence Does the client’s business sound reasonable If you have valid concerns that are not satisfied, you can decline to prepare return  Speak privately with your Local Coordinator first if that’s what you decide NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE What if it is NOT a Business? ● Income goes to Form 1040 line 21 ● Deductible items go on Schedule A Interest (home mortgage) Taxes Expenses to produce income (2%) Gambling losses to the extent of winnings (not 2%) NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE If it is a Business – Line 12 NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Schedule C Quiz ● Is this a business? Income from recycling (only source of income) Poll worker Babysitter One-time executor fee Caregiver  Who is a relative  Who is not a relative NTTC Training Yes No Yes No, unless in the business Yes No, unless in the business

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TAX-AIDE Schedule C Input ● Use Schedule C (do not use Schedule C-EZ) ● Must be for either Taxpayer or Spouse Jointly run business must be split into two Schedules C  Self employment tax implications NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Schedule C Input NTTC Training The tax form

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TAX-AIDE TW only (OOS) The input form Use last year’s code or look up NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Business Code ● F1 to help ● Click on Index ● Click on Business Codes for Sch C NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Business Code ● Select main category in side panel ● Select code from main screen NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Business Income ● All income must be reported ● All income goes on Line 1 NTTC Training The tax form

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TAX-AIDE Business Income – 1099-MISC ● Reported to Taxpayer on Form MISC Box 7: Non-employee compensation Box 3: Other income (?) (payer may have used wrong box)  Very important to use 1099-MISC that is linked with Sch C NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Business Income – 1099-MISC ● If blank 1099 MISC on tree, use it ● Add more with “+” NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Business Income – W-2 Statutory Employee (cont.) – Sch C Input  Check the stat employee box by Line 1  Enter income amount from W-2 on scratch pad linked to Line 1 NTTC Training Do not mix Statutory Employee income with any other income

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TAX-AIDE Business Income Quiz What types of income should you expect to see for: ● A wedding singer Checks and cash (gratuities!) ● A graphic designer 1099-MISC if > $600 Checks or cash for small jobs NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Business Expenses ● Ordinary and necessary to the business ● Not against public policy Cannot deduct fines or penalties ● All permissible expenses should be claimed  Can affect other items, e.g. EIC NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Business Expenses NTTC Training The tax form

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TAX-AIDE The input form Car mileage deduction from page 2 Do not use for car mileage Not home office Business Expenses NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Other Business Expenses ● Use for business expenses not described in lines 8-26 NTTC Training For more lines, link from last line to new Other Expense Sch C Line 48 form

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TAX-AIDE Business Expense Quiz Are these items deductible? In scope? ● Commissions and fees paid ● Contract labor payments ● Legal and professional services  Only if less than $600 per payee  More than $600 requires 1099 to be issued (OOS) NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Business Expense – Computer ● Out of scope ● Requires depreciation or write-off using Form 4562  May claim supplies (paper, toner) used for business NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Business Expenses – Telephone ● Business telephone – dedicated line used only for business 100% deductible ● Mixed-use home phone Basic service not deductible Only actual cost of business calls deductible  Cannot deduct cost of phone itself – requires Form 4562 NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Meals and Entertainment ● Special documentation rules apply if over $75.00 Must have receipt (showing where, when, and how much) Must document business nature of meal or entertainment NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Usually only 50% deductible – enter full amount, TW does the math Business Expense – Meals and Entertainment NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Business Gifts ● Limited to $25 per recipient per year ● Does not include logo’d articles of $4 or less each (e.g., a logo’d pen) NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Business Income Quality Review ● Do all 1099-MISC in TaxWise agree with originals – EIN, payer name, address, etc. ● Does Sch C net profit agree with client’s records ● How does net profit compare to prior year – is it reasonable NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Business Income Quality Review ● Does client have education expenses that could (should) be deducted on Sch C ● How does the state look NTTC Training

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TAX-AIDE Business Income Client Summary ● Emphasize need to keep good records Can be paper or electronic Assures all income is accounted for Assures no expenses are forgotten Greatly facilitates tax return preparation NTTC Training